Mike McCarthy‘s enjoyed the benefit of coaching two future Hall of Fame quarterbacks, and the Packers have qualified for nine playoff brackets in the coach’s 12 previous seasons. But with the team in danger of missing the NFC bracket for the second straight season, McCarthy appears to be firmly on the hot seat. The 13th-year Green Bay coach’s job status is “pretty clearly” uncertain regarding 2019, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com notes (video link). McCarthy signed a one-year extension to take him through the ’19 season, so the team isn’t committed long-term here. He’s now reporting to team president Mark Murphy under the post-Ted Thompson power structure, and with Brian Gutekunst now GM, different voices will have a say if McCarthy will be brought back.
“That’s the job. That’s the way this business has gone,” McCarthy said, via Rob Demovsky of ESPN.com, when asked about his status. “I’m not going to get into comparables, but at the end of the day that’s part of the job responsibility of the head coach. We set a standard here the past 12 years and it’s our responsibility to play to that standard.”
The Packers are venturing near must-win territory if they want to secure their ninth playoff berth in 10 seasons. They face the Vikings in Minnesota next week.
Here’s the latest from the North divisions:
- The post-Megatron Lions relied on the Marvin Jones–Golden Tate tandem. For the first time since Calvin Johnson retired, neither will suit up for Detroit. Jones is out for Sunday’s game against the Panthers after missing practice this week, and ESPN.com’s Michael Rothstein reports the veteran Lions wideout is seeking a second opinion on his injured right knee. Initial tests revealed no damage to Jones’ ACL or MCL, and Jones was diagnosed with a bone bruise. He’ll miss only his second game as a Lion. T.J. Jones would likely be the starter in Marvin Jones‘ place.
- T.J. Lang‘s Lions tenure hasn’t gone as smoothly from a health standpoint. The former Pro Bowl guard landed on IR this week because of a neck injury, but that setback is not believed to be career-threatening, Dave Birkett of the Detroit Free Press reports. Lang also suffered a concussion that forced him to miss time earlier this season. He only played in six games this season after missing three in 2017. Set for his age-32 season next year, Lang — with an $11.1MM cap number — will be a release candidate in the offseason. The Lions could save more than $8MM by releasing the acclaimed blocker. Lang is due a $500K roster bonus on the fourth day of the upcoming league year.
- Darius Slay, however, will be back for the Lions after missing Week 10. Bears wideout Allen Robinson gouged the Lions in Slay’s absence, but the All-Pro cornerback was not on the injury report as of Friday and will return Sunday.
- While the 2018 Jaguars haven’t been the kind of impediment the 2017 version was, the Steelers will be without a key starter in their attempt to beat a team that went 2-0 against them last season. Stephon Tuitt will miss Sunday’s game with an elbow injury he sustained against the Panthers. Tyson Alualu will start in Tuitt’s place up front, Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com tweets.
- Although Robert Griffin III has been mentioned as a possible Ravens starter Sunday, the expectation remains Lamar Jackson will take the reins, Jeff Zreibec of The Athletic notes (subscription required). Jackson’s hospital trip Thursday, coupled with Joe Flacco‘s hip injury, left Griffin as the Ravens’ lone practice quarterback that day. But Jackson returned to practice Friday.
For the longest time people would call the fire McCarthey crowd “clueless” or “ungrateful for a guy many other teams would take”. Anyone who doesn’t this man is holding the Packers back is flat out lying. Would Sean McVay or Doug Pederson punt with Aaron Rodgers needing TWO yards….. McVay went for hit while his team was ahead in their own territory. McCarthey is gutless and too afraid to be calling the shots in Rodgers late prime years.
Hot take, McCarthy should’ve been fired the second he decided to punt with 2 yards to go. He’s one of if not the most overrated coaches in history, without Favre and Rodgers he’s just Jeff Fisher.
Don’t slam Fisher like that. McCarthy isn’t that good
Your usual dopey Packer fans crying about a single play. There were times Vince Lombardi sent out his punter needing 2 yards so I guess they should have fired him as well.
Wow. You clearly haven’t followed the Packers this year at all. This has been going on all season. Sending the punter out and the non challenge last night are the only latest screw ups by McCarthy. You’re proving yourself the dopey one by that comment.
Lol im not even a Packers fan but a lot of my family is so i coniser them a 2nd team. I guess you like mediocrity over and over and over again. Remeber the NFC title game when McCarthey thought 19 point was enough and decied to pack it in and just run run run. Its not about 1 play. Its a never ending attitude that costs them games and literally a super bowl trip. Anyone who thinks he is a good coach is a dope
Not a Packers fan at all, doesn’t take much to realize McCarthy is a horrible coach
Frustration with mccarthy isn’t just because he didn’t go for it on 4th and 2. He has no creativity on offense, doesn’t know when to call time outs when we’re on defense and hangs on to bad assistant coaches too long. It’s time for a change.
It is a miracle that McCarthy has lasted this long to begin with. Dudes been on borrowed time for a long time
Are the Packers going to be better off having Aaron decide who the replacement will be? No one is going to get the HC job without Rodger’s stamp of approval.
They are better off having a mouse coach then McCarthy. At least a mouse can catch some cheese.
I loved the TJ Lang signing when it happened but it has been rough dealing with all the injuries. Almost positive he will be gone next season.
Slay is extremely important to the defense. His leadership alone is underrated. It has been great to see him grow as a player.
Lang was a locker room issue and unhealthy. It was a dumb signing by Detroit and smart of GB to not pay over market for him. But Packer fans don’t want tipo admit Ted Thompson made several solid moves.
“Pretty clearly uncertain”
Good one. Reminds me of when financial analysts state that the economy is in “a negative growth cycle”.
Been holding back that team for years, love it! Hope he goes on a garbage time 3 week win streak and gets a 3 year extension!